September 7, 2008

I've been thinking about the way Sarah Palin is avoiding interviews. She can't keep doing that, but I think it's wise for her to take some time to bone up on things and to develop rhetorical strategies. She's going to be severely tested, and she's got to take some time to get ready. Her opponents are right to make a big deal out of every minute she delays, but the price of making a mistake is great. You know any dumb thing that slips out is going to be used to the hilt. And something dumb is inevitable.

With this in mind, I was wondering what is the single dumbest thing Obama and McCain have said? Something has to be the dumbest. I'm thinking, for Obama:

257 comments:

Even her staunchest supporters want her to start doing interviews (I do), since they want her to project confidence and knowledge; but they're also fearful of the gotcha questions which could derail a candidate unfairly.

"Senator Palin, who is the President of Kyrgyzstan?"

And actually, that's a tame gotcha question.

There are 30 Democratic lawyers on Alaskan soil now, trying to dig up slush on her. The questions and stories will be spun like Tasmanian devils.

She has less than 60 days to prove her mettle and competence to be the second most important political person in the world. This is both good and bad.

Good, because the American public couldn't take 19 months of Palin's private life (Mooseburgers! US Magazine's Name the Grandkid contest! National Enquirer's Is Todd stepping out with Cindy!) like they did with Obama.

Bad, because she needs to cram in information. I've been reading Alaskan newspapers, and one from that Anne Kilkenny woman. By all accounts, she's incredibly smart, and a quick study.

I can't see any reason for her to submit to an interview until the media starts playing straight. Might happen in a month or so, but I kind of doubt it. Avoiding those bums is a definite plus in my book. Meanwhile, there is the earlier cspan interview to get you through.

I can't see any reason for her to submit to an interview until the media starts playing straight.

Chuck, I can't agree with that. It would make her look scared, and actually the American public deserve better.

Right now, she's got the upper-hand. Because media went overboard with Bristol's pregnancy, people realise they just want an opportunity to trash her, and then cynically have a panel show, "Is this topic fair game for media to discuss?" (thank you, Larry King).

But this good feeling will wear off if she doesn't have a sit-down interview with, say, Tom Brokaw at one point. She could start by doing the rounds of the morning talk shows sometime next week.

I think it's a good strategy for the McCain to keep her under-wraps right now. It builds excitement. The ratings for her RNC speech were Olympian. That's because from Sunday to Wednesday, she was no where to be seen.

I just had my first baby a month ago so maybe I am just a sucker for videos with babies in them at the moment but I really liked the remix.

I suspect you liked the remix a bunch too because I am sure that McCain has made more substantive gaffes during this election. That 100 years deal certainly comes to mind. Cruel neutrality destroyed by babies. It is always the last people you suspect.

You forgot Obama's latest; he has said he won't rescind the Bush tax cuts if the country is in recession since it would deepen the recession. To be blunt; Obama has admitted that the Bush tax cuts have helped the economy and to rescind them would hurt the economy. So why is insisting on rescinding them?

You don't even need to say "I don't know." You just need techniques to finesse and navigate.

For example:

1. Move to a higher level of abstraction. Palin could keep returning to fundamental conservative principles.

2. Characterize the issue as complex and important and assure people that you will assemble highly qualified advisors, listen carefully to them, and endeavor to find a workable solution. (Obama constantly uses this one.)

I think she should just say that the media are just lying sacks of shit and she didn't come to please the inside the beltway scumbags like Sally Quinn and Maureen Dowd and Helen Thomas and David Gregory.

Doing interviews with local news people who are more honest than the national poohbahs is the way to go. Screw 'em.

Some humor couldn't go astray - "I'd like to change categories and go for 'questions that matter.'"

Also, it's worth considering what Palin's actually going to be doing all day. Remember the meme that Palin didn't know what the veep does? That came from a rhetorical question in an interview with Larry Kudlow where she made it pretty clear that she wasn't going to accept the offer of the veep position without having some kind of concrete assurances of some kind of portfolio. If she comes out swinging and explains what she's going to be spending her time doing, she can very effectively belittle the "who is the President of Elbonia" questions, and moreover, if the interviewer tries to point out that she may become President if McCain keels, that's a golden opening to savage Obama on the inexperience point. Repeat it loudly and often: Palin may take over if we vote for her; Obama will take over, and there's simply no comparison between her experience and his. The idea of liberals criticizing Palin's experience is a joke, and that's the message McCain and Palin need to push.

The best defense is a good offense. Take it to them right in their face. The media will never be her friend. It would never be even try to be fair. Haven’t you been watching lately? Take it too the bastards. Tell to their face that they are lying, manipulative, plagiarizing, fabricating partisans who can't be trusted to pour piss out of a boot. Most regular Americans would give her a standing ovation. Screw 'em.

PatCa, yes. I heard from an Althouse commenter that if the video stops at 0:02, it's a script problem with the browser. You have to either click on comments and access it there, refresh, or quit Firefox altogether and load it again.

McCain's got loads more gaffes than this baby one...- 100 years in Iraq- Iraq-Afghan border- bomb Iran- In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations- His bit about having voted with the President 90 percent of the time

If Sarah Palin needs time to study up for media interviews, maybe she needs time, oh say, four years or so, to study up on other things she ought to know before being VP.

The two clips are very different kinds of dumb statements, and Obama's is worse because it's an extended policy statement, not a slip of the tongue. IIRC, he also passed on the chance to say that he meant something more like what Clinton and Edwards said.

The equivalent of "hot bottled water" is "57 states". Somewhere in between is the bitter clinging, which in the end may be the one that's most harmful to his chances.

McCain's gaffes that are more significant than hot bottled water include 100 years, $5M, how many houses, and saying the economy is basically robust.

PatCA, I, too, have the problem of videos stopping two seconds in -- here at Althouse and also at some, but not all, other blogs. They play just fine at YouTube.

I've tried Victoria's suggested fixes on the videos in this post and they didn't work for me. If anybody has any more thoughts on the problem, I'd love to hear them. The only way I've found to watch Althouse videos is to paste the URL into an IE window when necessary. Quite annoying.

Your kidding. Biden is the biggest Gaffer of them all. Biden opposed all of Ronald Reagans policies to bring down the Soviet Union. Biden was always there ready to vote against funding the contras, funding starwars, etc... In the end Biden was proven so wrong.

I didn't *go* but she was here yesterday with McCain doing a campaign stop and speeches and all that "not hiding" sort of stuff.

It seems she has a choice and it's not between giving interviews and not, but between giving interviews and getting on the road and meeting people. What is the smart thing to do? Spending her time talking to the people who think they count more than others is probably *not* the smart choice.

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Everytime I hear Glenn refer to the Insta Wife, I think the same thing, or of the inflatable autopilot on the movie Airplane.

I like TrooperYork's idea of using the local media for Palin. Between the Internet and networks picking up the video she'd get tons of exposure, and probably in a more neutral setting.

What struck me about the videos was that it took Obama about three minutes to say something stupid, but it only took McCain about 20 seconds. Really, how stupid can it be when 90% of the electorate won't wait to hear you say it?

I like the "straight talk" but admit that the avalanche of words has its use as well. Ugh.

By the way: I hate this idiotic "gotcha" stuff. Is there someone with half a brain who thinks that Obama thinks there are 57 states? Or that McCain doesn't know Shiites from Sunnis? Both sides should speak out forcefully against idiotic talking points about the other side; the world would be better off.

Is there someone with half a brain who thinks that Obama thinks there are 57 states? Or that McCain doesn't know Shiites from Sunnis?

Of course Obama believes there are 57 states. He was a community organizer in every one of them. As to the Shiite from Sunnis, who cares? It is not important. What is important is that McCain does know something Obama does not;

Sloanasaurus said... "Biden is the biggest Gaffer of them all. Biden opposed all of Ronald Reagans policies to bring down the Soviet Union. Biden was always there ready to vote against funding the contras, funding starwars, etc..."

He also voted against the Alaska pipeline, Robert Bork, and wanted to partition Iraq. I honestly struggle to think of a non-unanimous vote that Biden was on the right side of.

Obama's questioner was pretty bad claiming Sadat went to Israel to meet with Begin in 1982. Sadat was murdered in 1981, went to Israel in 77, Camp David in 78 and signed the Egyptian-Israeli treaty in 79.

The McCain clip is funny because we all know McCain doesn't know nothin' about birthin' no babies.

And what's with the nerd princes at Firefox? Mine is dead in the water on any flash videos from any site.

Oh God - Charlie Gibson? What an excuse for a journalist he is. I remember about a year ago, the Ledbetter decision came down on the same day as something happened on the immigation front. I was interested to hear how JCG would report on the case, so I tuned in to ABC (alas, she'd left PBS by then), and caught the last section of their coverage of whatever the immigration thing was. And at the end of that segment, Gibson says something to the effect that he just couldn't understand why, when everyone seems to agree that there's a problem that needs to be fixed, they still can't agree on legislation. Unbelievable! We all agree that there's a problem, so why can't we agree on the solution! What an idiot.

Simon,Ferraro met the press 4 days after being named the candidate. When I found that she was talking foreign policy the day before, I went with that side of it because it was more interesting, and still something Palin hasn't done. But if you want me to appease you, I can edit my post to say that it was 4 days after. Sarah, no matter how you spin it, is going on day 11.

Yes, but he is such a nice idiot, a polite idiot, the kind of idiot you wouldtake home and meet the folks but never marry idiot. The nice kidn of safe idiot you would let your daughter take to the prom. He is the quitnessential idiot next door.

Also why reward the media for their smear campaign by granting interviews? Just go over the media elites head and grant interviews with journalist you know are fair and balanced. I wouldn't mind an interview with Shepperd Smith.

I agree with those who are saying she doesn't do interviews. There are plenty out there, just not in the last week. I have watched the debates and many interviews (although not all yet). What I like about the C-Span interview is she took questions from callers.

I particularly like the question - as I am watching Chris Wallace questioning Alaska earmarks - about Alaska taking fewer earmarks with their windfall - and she said, great question, it's her goal to get Alaska off the dole so to speak. Direct and honest. Refreshing.

Also, do you see how she knows her stuff and there are no um um um errs?

As I keep saying, keep it up MSM, and when she does go on meet the press or Charlie Gibson, she will garner another HUGE audience. They will look like fools and their response will be, "she had Karl Rove prepping her!' or some dumb nonsense (as with last week's speech - nothing special here folks - move along - she had a Bush speech writer!)

Thanks for the list Simon. It's good that the Palin people are being more proactive than the Obama people were to address the smears. Nothing on the list came as a surprise to me, except for item 20. Where are the 3 media interviews she did yesterday?

In the end McCain will win about 400-138 in the electoral college taking 40 states. GOP will take back the House and Senate as well as governships, state legislates, city councils, school boards, etc...

Wonder boy George did a dance on Obama's head today. Obama misspoke and said "his muslim faith." Now conservative bloggers and getting their torches and pitchforks. Thats a shame when both sides seize on candidates slips of the tongue.

Of more interest to me is why Stephanopolis was so hard on the Senator--suppose he is in the Hillary camp? Or we could suppose that he is actually doing a journalist job of questioning. He challenged Obama about attributing the Muslim smears to the McCain campaign. And he, Obama, ended up admitting it wasnt the McCain camp, but those nasty bloggers (the same ones on his side of the aisle he cant control).

There are two reasons for Palin to avoid giving interviews. The first is obvious, to prepare herself. The second is more tactical. Delay creates nervousness, expectation and assaults by her adversaries. It sets up a low expectation again. If the democrats keep mocking the delay saying she is scared, when she shows up and succeeds they look foolish again. Palin is the new story in town, delay keeps her fresh and underexposed.

By not talking to the press, Sarah Palin is getting the press to repeat her convention-speech message — that she's not a typical politician — over and over. Every time somebody compares her reticence to Cheney or Ferraro or whomever, the message gets drilled in a little bit deeper.

Further, it draws out the attention she can get. If she was interviewed right next to the convention, then it's all part of the "Here's Sarah" rollout. If she waits a week, well, then "Sarah's first interview!" becomes the lead story in a completely separate news cycle.

It also doesn't hurt that the delay has all the Obama supporters yelling about her being incompetent, which lowers expectations and makes it that much easier for her to shine.

So, tell me; why should she give up all of these benefits and give an interview on the press's schedule instead of her own?

Read the words, Shit-for-brains. I didn't say she couldn't pass the test. I said it will be an unfair test.

There are no unfair tests when applying for her job title, shit for brains. This is big leagues, not city council, not picking up kids from hockey, not some piece of crap of town no one has ever heard of in Alaska and no one cares about. Not that you care of course.

The MSM has their collective knickers twisted. Sarah Palin has not graced them with her presence and "it's been nine days since she was announced as McCain's VP choice". That is a quote from Chris Matthews this morning.

I recommend McCain give Palin free access to a Meet The Press type press conference BUT instead of MSM types, he should use informed & randomly-selected taxpayers to ask the questions.(I suggest Simon & Beth to start off fairly).

Call it "MEET THE TAXPAYERS". And no one from the Beltway is allowed. This would be a maverick move for McCain. He has no downside since polls consistently show voters don't believe nor respect the MSM anyway.

This would create a new paradigm.It bypasses and replaces the biased dinosaur media with real no-bullshit type regular citizens to ask questions to the candidates. Hell Rick Warren (for God's sake heh) did way better than any MSM type.

garage mahal said... She's trying out for the 2nd most powerful job in the world. If she can't handle the same press every other pol had to handle she isn't qualified for the job. That simple.

If Obama’s tender sensitivities are wounded because he cannot handle sarcasm from a VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate, then he is not even qualified for a job as a community organizer, let alone the most powerful position in the world.

I'm still not clear why Sarah Palin "must" give an interview to the MSM--if she can connect with people outside the reach of the MSM she is communicating with the constituency she needs to--Come on folks--is the only news out there that which is filtered thru sunday talk shows?

I wouldnt care if Governor Palin NEVER gives an interview to the MSM. Shes already connected, and the nasty truth in politics is that the voting public really doesnt give a damn about issues. She's McCain's attack dog, except she wears lipstick. You are supposed to be voting for the top of the ticket, not the VP. Remember? (and please can the actuarial analysis of McCain's imminent demise).

If Obama’s tender sensitivities are wounded because he cannot handle sarcasm from a VICE PRESIDENTIAL candidate, then he is not even qualified for a job as a community organizer, let alone the most powerful position in the world.

He didn't whine, he said he was called worse on the basketball court, then proceeded to go on O'Reilly. Next stupid fucking observation?

I think she should get out there and do interviews and with various outlets. Then we can all decide how she did--and, for that matter, how whatever journalist did.

I get this is a game, but ultimately it's not about Palin OR the press OR your favorite political party. It's about us--we the people and potential voters--and, damnit, I want to hear and see for myself. And I don't mean just a bunch of speeches. I want interviews. A bunch of them.

This goes for all of them, by the way, but especially Palin because she's latest on the scene and therefore, naturally, most lightly exposed.

On Sunday, McClatchy Newspapers published a story on Sen. John McCain's oft-discussed temper, detailing one incident in which McCain allegedly pushed a woman in a wheelchair.

According to McClatchy's report, in 1996, McCain was met in the Senate office halls by a group of family members of POW-MIAs who had been pressing him to pursue more information on their relatives.

Six people present have written statements describing what they saw. According to the accounts, McCain waved his hand to shoo away Jeannette Jenkins, whose cousin was last seen in South Vietnam in 1970, causing her to hit a wall.

As McCain continued walking, Jane Duke Gaylor, the mother of another missing serviceman, approached the senator. Gaylor, in a wheelchair equipped with portable oxygen, stretched her arms toward McCain.

"McCain stopped, glared at her, raised his left arm ready to strike her, composed himself and pushed the wheelchair away from him," according to Eleanor Apodaca, the sister of an Air Force captain missing since 1967.

Reader--I always speak only for myself. And we will have to disagree on this. If you believe an interview with MSM is informative, thats great. Having seen the crap that passes for "interviews" from the MSM I don't have much confidence in them.

Reader--I have an alternate suggestion--how about a town hall type forum where Gov Palin takes questions from the audience--unscripted and no plants from opposing campaigns. no MSM moderator. How would that work for you.

Hey, shit for brains. This is the big leagues, not community organizing in some south side Chicago piece of crap ghetto neighborhood no one has ever heard about and no one cares about.

And that's why he did 20+ debates, went on every major media outlet to answer questions, including Fox News 3 times [would McCain or Palin EVER go on Olbermann or any hostile surrounding?].

Obama did duck reporters in Chicago about Rezko - Lynn Sweet called him out on it, and he sat down for half a day answering questions to the satisfaction of every reporter in Chicago. That's the difference.

“It’s curious to me that they would mock that, when I, at least, think that that’s exactly what young people should be doing.

“I worked with churches, who were dealing with steel plants that had closed in their neighborhoods, to set up job training programs for the unemployed and after-school programs for youth, and to try to deal with asbestos in homes with poor people — community service work — which John McCain has been talking about, putting country first and extolling the virtues of national service.

I would think that’s what we want all our young people to do. I would think that that’s an area where Democrats and Republicans would agree.”

I am genuinely curious--do our resident left of center folks actually think the MSM questioners ask difficult questions? Do they ask difficult questions to candidates on either side of the aisle? Do they ask questions designed to get at underlying beliefs and philosophies? And do they follow up when the candidates are nonresponsive and regurgitate campaign talking points (and both candidates do)

I'm also curious as to why the MSM hasnt asked Joe Biden about his lobbist sons. who work for the people joe biden wrote a bill to protect. where are our watchdogs when we need them--pregnant 17 year olds are a much more serious business.

garage mahal said... Obama did duck reporters in Chicago about Rezko - Lynn Sweet called him out on it, and he sat down for half a day answering questions to the satisfaction of every reporter in Chicago. That's the difference.

It is not hard to satisfy reporters who have been in your corner from day one. It is not hard to satisfy Chicago reporters. They are satisfied by anyone would talk to them.

He never, ever, explained his ties to the very politically corrupt Emil Jones; his "Godfather", or the corrupt Daley machine, who sposored him and got him elected to state and federal offices. Oh, and he did not satisfy them on Rezko. They asked puff ball questions he gave pat answers.

BTW, I fucking live in Chicago. I spent almost thirty years as a cop here. I know Chicago, its neighborhoods, its politics and how things really work here. Do you? Or are you just another gas bag who believes everything they read in the media?

No michael I dont own a tv--sorry to break that to you. You asked me whom I considered the MSM to be and I answered you. You may not agree with my selections, but by all means, tell us who YOU consider the MSM to be.

I would think that’s what we want all our young people to do. I would think that that’s an area where Democrats and Republicans would agree.

He touts that being a community organizer is experience for being president. Then when he is criticized and laughed at about it he changes his tune to how it is something young people should aspire to.

Recall Michael, you asked me to name who I consider the msm to be--and then you suggested some individual right wingers as somehow you assumed I listen to them. well, I dont. And then when I named off some exemplars of the MSM you said that WAS the MSM and accused me being daft.

So please.. you apparently agree with me about which organizations constitute the MSM. Do you understand my confusion on this issue?

Read your 8:11 again Michael; and as I responded to reader, I propose a town hall meeting format with questions from citizens, no plants and no moderators; or as Dogwood suggested, bloggers left center and right.

I would no more want a question from rush limbaugh as I would from Randy Rhodes

Now the world will watch and remember what we do here - what we do with this moment. Will we extend our hand to the people in the forgotten corners of this world who yearn for lives marked by dignity and opportunity; by security and justice? Will we lift the child in Bangladesh from poverty, shelter the refugee in Chad, and banish the scourge of AIDS in our time?

McCain being interviewed by a member of the MSM, who NEVER asks the "tough" questions...according to Roger:

BOB SCHIEFFER: I want to ask you about the composition of the…of the convention. There were 36 African American delegates out of 2300 plus delegates there. How can you survive as a party if you become just the party of white people?

McCAIN: We can’t. We can’t. I saw a bit of information the other day that by, I forgot, I think…don’t hold me to it, 2042 or something like that, white Americans will be in the minority in the population of this country. We can’t. We’ve got to reach out; we gotta do a better job. We have to have the Hispanic as well as the African American voters. I’ve traveled all over this country. I’ve been to places where there were literally no Republican votes. I have to convince them I’ll be the president of everybody. And the Republican party has a job to do. And frankly, it’s a job that also spills over into other issues. You’ve seen the generic ballot difference that we have…[..]

notice that I have answered Michaels question completely and he is changing the subject. To refresh michaels memory the issue was who is the msm and who should ask the question. I identified the MSM and suggested two possibilities for asking the question. Michael, however hasnt responded except to throw more poo poo.

Chuck,If Palin waited for the media to play straight, she'd give an interview about a month after the New York Times went bankrupt. I don't care if she ever gives an interview to the lap dog media. She can talk over their heads to the American people. Why give your opponent's propaganda machine any help.

Remember that "economy" that Obama's camp said that the Republicans didn't talk about during the convention? Well, somehow, not talking about it caused him to go from 19 points down on the economy to only 3. Keep on not talking, McCain.

Come on, Bruce, that's a horrible clip. Please don't spread that one around. This longer clip makes the context absolutely clear. As should be clear I am not an Obama fan but that clip really is WAY unfair.

May I just say something off-topic, solely personal, totally anecdotal, without rancor or jeering, and all that jazz?

My husband and I--totally devoid of either glee or bitterness, but rather in the spirit of agog--just keep ending up shaking our heads and saying, at odd times to each other, and again tonight: This one was the Democrats' to lose! It should have been a cakewalk. What. the. hell.

Two months can be a surprisingly long time: this I know and question not. The outcome of the ultimate poll will, well, ultimately trump the lead-up.